According to a Fox Sports report, the 37-year-old right-hander ruptured his spleen after slipping while shoveling his driveway in Vermont recently. Pavano, who remains a free agent, will likely miss between 6 and 8 weeks.

Pavano was a workhorse for the Twins in 2010 and 2011, but his 2012 season was cut short in June due to shoulder problems.

The Twins had preliminary discussions with Pavano's agent earlier this winter, but general manager Terry Ryan elected to find pitching through other avenues.